Will Russia open Nord Stream 1 tomorrow?

It remains a mystery, although there are signs that the streams will start again tomorrow. Will they be verified? The German government refers to Gazprom’s contractual obligations.

Even the priestesses of the Oracle of Delphi would not be able to answer this question. Because the points of the times are controversial and President Putin continues to bluff. Rushing from Tehran, the Russian president said that Gazprom will fulfill its obligations “to the hilt, it has fulfilled them, it is fulfilling them and it will continue to do so in the future”. This is the positive scenario and the logical consequence of a pre-announced ten-day interruption in pipeline flow for maintenance work. Noteworthy tasks that are done every year painlessly without attracting public attention.

Putin: Why not Nord Stream 2?

But what can be painless now in this pipeline diplomacy that has turned into an “energy weapon” in the hands of Russia, as Western leaders repeat in unison, to avenge the Kremlin’s sanctions. So before alektor voice Putin again from Tehran hinted at reduced or even stopped flow because he does not know in what condition the turbine will return from Canada. He said that the capacity of the Nord Stream 1 pipeline could be further reduced due to slow progress in its maintenance. “There are a total of five Siemens Energy turbines, one of which is out of order because the internal insulation lining is problematic,” the Russian president told reporters. “The two turbines, which work normally there, pump 60 million cubic meters per day, if one does not come, there is the other one pumping 30 million cubic meters, what does Gazprom have to do with it?”. He even mentioned the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, which can be put into operation immediately. One on the nail and one on the shoe.

In a question at today’s briefing, the deputy government spokesperson Christiane Hoffman avoided making predictions. “The German government expects that after the completion of the technical maintenance work on the pipeline, the flow of natural gas from Russia will resume, and indeed in full,” recalling the contractual obligations of the state-owned Gazprom. With regard to the disputed turbine, the representative of the Ministry of Finance, Beate Baron, did not say where it is, again citing security reasons. However, he reiterated that this is a pretext on the Russian side and that the turbine is intended to be used in September. “Everything will be done to remove the pretext from the Russian side,” he said. Regarding Nord Stream 2, Mrs. Baron stopped all talk. “The pipeline is not certified and therefore not licensed to operate.”

What is the conclusion of all this?

None yet. Because it is very likely that the Kremlin will continue to play poker and prefer the torture of the drop. That is, delays in deliveries of a certain or indefinite time. Again with the turbine argument. Russian newspaper Kommersant has already reported on this, pointing out that there is a possibility of delaying the opening of the tap until Sunday, after the serviced turbine arrives from Canada, and if there are no problems with transport or customs. The day had another development. From the first data of Gascade, the manufacturer and manager of the natural gas network in Germany, natural gas deliveries have been announced for tomorrow Thursday. Gascade operates both of the pipeline’s connection points in the town of Lubmin in western Pomerania. According to Gascade’s website, deliveries are intended for both points. A spokesperson explained that there was prior confirmation via registration for large quantities that were about to be delivered. Of course, registrations can change up until just before the faucet is turned on.

A possible resumption of deliveries would also relieve Uniper, Germany’s biggest supplier of Russian gas, which is on the brink of bankruptcy. The government spokeswoman refused at noon to give information on what stage the rescue is in and whether an agreement has been reached with Finland, which holds a majority stake. The German news agency DPA reported that according to a document of the Parliamentary Committee on Climate Protection and Energy, the existing loans from the state KfW bank will have to increase from 2 to 8 billion euros due to lack of liquidity. The rescue package must be finalized by the 25th of the month at the latest to avoid the Dusseldorf energy giant becoming something like Lehman Brothers. The next few days are critical. Starting tomorrow, at 06.00.

Irini Anastasopoulou

Source: Deutsche Welle